Gophers reload for new title bid minus Amanda Kessel.
As the University of Minnesota women’s hockey team prepares to open the season at Ridder Arena this weekend against Penn State and Boston University, no one doubts that it will be another stellar year with victories far outnumbering their losses. Although they suffered a stunning upset in last year’s national championship game, a 5-4 loss to the Clarkson Golden Knights, the Gophers are favored as the top team in multiple preseason national polls.
The team is largely comprised of returning players — retaining 16 from 2013-14 — but they’ve added four freshmen to round out the roster. The Gophers lost some key scorers in the graduated Kelly Terry and Sarah Davis, and most notably Amanda Kessel, who missed last season to compete at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia with Team USA.
It was announced recently that Kessel would not be returning to the university — for school or hockey — this season due to concussion symptoms.
“I knew it was a possibility … she wasn’t doing real well,” coach Brad Frost said in last week’s WCHA media teleconference. “[I had] hoped throughout the summer that she would continue to improve and her symptoms would go away, at least to the point where she could come back and do school and get treatment here. But in the end we did what was best for her as going to school was just too much for her with the symptoms she has.”
The Gophers will need their returning underclassmen and incoming freshmen to contribute to scoring to make up for the holes left by former players. One big question is how will they approach filling the center position this year. Coach Frost noted that incoming freshmen Kelly Pannek is a good candidate to be a strong center for the team.
Junior G Amanda Leveille is 41-2-1 (.943) in her Gopher career. (MHM Photo / Jeff Wegge)
In addition to Pannek, the Gophers welcome freshmen Sydney Baldwin, Cara Piazza and Nina Rodgers.
“I’ve been impressed with all four of our freshmen. They’re fitting in great,” Frost said.
Sophomore Lee Stecklein, who earned a silver medal with Team USA alongside Kessel last winter, is returning to the lineup. Stecklein will round out the largely unchanged, and consistently strong, Gopher defense. Anchored by All-American defensemen Rachel Ramsey and Milica McMillen, they ranked second in the nation with an impressive 1.20 goals against average.
Confidence is also strong between the pipes with returning junior goaltender Amanda Leveille who boasted a .945 save percentage in 41 games last year.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
2013-14 Final Ranking: No. 2 (USCHO) / No. 2 (USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine)
2013-14 overall record: 38-2-1
2013-14 WCHA record: 26-1-1
2013-14 Conference Finish: First
2013-14 Postseason Finish: NCAA Frozen Four runner-up to Clarkson 5-4
2014-15 predicted finish: First (WCHA Coaches’ Preseason Poll)
Tough Skates to Fill: F Amanda Kessel, F Kelly Terry, F Sarah Davis
Impact Returnees: F Hannah Brandt, F Rachel Bona, D Rachel Ramsey, D Milica McMillen, G Amanda Leveille
Key Additions: F Kelly Pannek, D Sydney Baldwin, D Lee Stecklein (missed 2013-14 season)
Why the Gophers will exceed expectations: The Gophers are expected to once again remain on the top in the WCHA and NCAA. National polls have favored the Gophers to be the number one team.
Why the Gopher will fall short of expectations: With so many expecting the Gophers to lead all D1 women’s teams this year, anything less than number one will be a shortfall. Goal production by returning underclassmen and incoming freshmen will be key to the Gophers’ success.
